Pages

Since I finally used up a foundation I hate (Rimmel), I started mixing Bourjois CC cream, which is too dark for me, with Nars' Sheer Glow and it proved a lovely combination. It combines the best of both worlds - high coverage from Sheer Glow, while the CC cream makes it more natural looking on the skin as well as makes it less dry for the season, so it ends up wearing quite nice too. This combo also gives me a nice healthy glow, but it doesn't look greasy with time.

First I have to say that while I was washing this brush, the handle just snapped, but I fixed it with superglue and some tape for extra security and regardless of that, I still freaking adore this brush. It's so incredibly soft, dense, it blends so well and fast, it even manages to make some of the bad foundations work. So far it's my favourite ever foundation brush, well oval brushes in general are just brilliant and it's 3$ so I can deal with a broken handle. Still I'll get a backup.

Before anyone starts screaming at their screen: "Are you crazy? This is what, five years old?" - I know. And yes, I'm crazy, but it hasn't changed the texture, colour or smell, it doesn't affect my skin, so it's fine. I've dedicated myself to use it up because I've been saving it for far too long and used it on special occasions, but this is the most beautiful highlighter ever. It gives the most natural looking glow, but I mean that in a way that it's still a strong glow, but it looks like it's your skin glowing and there no shimmer. It's been discontinued years ago, so I'd like to find a dupe when I use it up. Suggestions?

I've just ended up using this every single day, partly also because I was lazy and I just had a box of makeup that I used daily (most things are in the post). It's a blush that goes with everything and is good for any occasion, it also has a satin glow that's great for winter time. The colour is a bit more mauve than my other favourite Milani's Romantic Rose.

I wore this daily the first part of the month because it's so comfortable on the lips and I just love applying it because it smells so nice too. Devotion is a warm pink shade, wearable, though already a bright shade for me.

I'll say it again, this is the best lipstick I've tried so far. I love the light, but very pigmented formula and the matte finish is just amazing. The colour is so me, a beautiful rosy-brown shade that is so easy to wear.

BIOBAZA Exclusive Micellar Oil

I've already talked a lot about this in both my wishlist post and the new it, but in short, it's my favourite cleansing oil. With water it transforms into a thick emulsion, it removes makeup really well and it doesn't cause my skin any problems. I'd really like a full size when I use up my stash.

My skin has suffered a bout of crazy dryness, my cheeks could be used as sand paper I'm even not joking. I used Physicians Formula argan oil and Monu Firming moisturiser which are both thick and nourishing, but they just couldn't handle it. I was almost sure this won't help either because it's much lighter in texture, but a generous coat of this every day before going to bed finally started fixing it. My skin is much better now, but it's still drier than usual.

DOVE Nourishing Shower Gel

Coconut Milk with Jasmine Petals

This is such an underrated shower gel, even I forgot it existed until I found it in the bathroom and it reminded me how much I love it. In terms of texture it's by far my favourite shower gel because it's so creamy and lovely to use, but I also love this version of the scent, though I smell no coconut, but it's a nice creamy clean floral scent.

I've been trying to use up some of my bad hair stuff this month, so I skipped a few washes of using this - big, massive, colossal mistake. My hair felt so bad, dry, unruly and I needed barrels of Orofluido to make it remotely manageable for at least a day. Dove makes such a difference in my hair care routine. It makes my hair silky, smooth and a lot less frizzy, with it my hair just looks so much better. I love this stuff. Why isn't it sold here, damn it!

AVON Mesmerize Black

(not on the pictures)
I also spoke about this in both my wishlist and New in, but I just feel in love with the scent. It's a warm, cosy scent without vanilla and that's so rare among the affordable scents. It's almost pure sandalwood. I only had samples which I already used up because I loved it so much, but I hope to get a full size soon.

I didn't even notice my bottle was almost empty because the bottle looked so perfect, but as soon as I did, I was running to repurchase this. Till this day, it's the only foundation I can rely on looking good on my skin. Everything else I own currently looks so weird, but this is my knight in shining armour. It's a light-medium coverage foundation with a natural looking finish that doesn't emphasise the uneven texture of the skin, nor pores and neither lines. I have a full review about it here.
But I have to address the rising prices because it's getting ridiculous. I think that both Bourjois and L'Occitane are going bonkers and apparently assume we are too stupid to notice a bump in prices. When I started buying these in 2011, they costed just shy of 15 €. Luckily, it costs less online.

Müller, 16.49 €

AVON True Colour Perfectly Matte Lipstick

Ravishing Rose

The moment this touched my lips, I thought - Milani Moisturising Matte. They have the same type of texture that is somewhat silicone creamy and features a great matte finish. I've been wanting to try these for a while, actually ever since Petra made that amazing review of these and she actually gifted me this one because she knew I'd love to have this shade (thank you!). It's a pinky-red type of magenta shade, a summery shade and a great shade for brunettes. Sara, who also made a fantastic review of these, compared this shade to All Fired Up by Mac, which I like but only have a sample of and they are indeed almost the same. Another dupe I found in my stash is Kiko's Smart lip pencil in Magenta.

Avon, regular price 8.50 €, but it's often much cheaper.

KIKO Smart Nail Lacquer

129

Another thing Petra gave me and she nailed it on the shade. I can't believe myself that I missed this when I was in Kiko, maybe I should just send Petra to buy things instead of me since I'm clearly useless. It's a beautiful pastel nude mauve shade, similar to my beloved Deborah Gel Effect in 01. I wasn't too thrilled with the formula when I was applying it because it ended up streaky/see-through on patches with two thick coats, but since it's a light shade, it wasn't that visible and Seche Vite helped a bit too. I wears nice though and after several days, I got no chips.

Kiko, 2.50 €

WET N WILD 1 Step Wonder Gel

Stay Classy

This is a very my type of nude colour, though it is darker than my other such shades and maybe a bit too cool toned. It's a darker muted rosy nude with a gel formula. Like most gel nail polishes it's very smooth and very pigmented, so a dream to apply. It's meaningless for me to mention the staying power because everything lasts more than a week on my nails, however, this one lasted so well and even when I removed it after a week and a half because I was bored, the only noticeable wear was on the tips, but I did of course use Seche Vite.

I've had this on my wishlist, since its launch because I adore the scent of the moisturiser from the same line. I don't think I'd ever truly treat myself to it since it's expensive and Immortelle oil would have the priority, so I'm overjoyed I got it as a gift from my cousin. I wasn't sure quite what to expect, though I read very positive reviews, but it's similar to Clarins Melting gel cleanser except it's also a scrub. It's an oil with scrubby bits, but it's actually not that greasy. You apply it on dry skin, rub it in and add water. It doesn't emulsify much, but what I didn't expect and it pleasantly surprised me is that it actually removes makeup decently,while I expected it'll just smear the makeup like gel cleansers. The only thing that is slightly disappointing to me is that the scent is so weak and it's not much like the moisturiser, but it's a great product.

L'Occitane, 25.40 €

L'OCCITANE Neroli Orchidee Hand Cream

I fell in love with this when I tried it at my cousin. Obviously it's the scent that got me, which is somewhat a typical L'Occitane scent that just always smell amazing. The name says it all really, the warm, bright neroli and the softer orchid scent - oh, just go smell it. It's one of L'Occitane's lightest creams and it sinks in in under a minute, which is exactly what I need.

L'Occitane, 8.10 €

L'OCCITANE Almond Shower Oil

This is just a sample, but I have the full size as well, I've actually haven't been without one is almost ten years, though it's been a while since I bought one (I buy those refills) and I keep the last bits only for pamper days because it's so expensive. The price rose a lot in ten years (about 20%), so I think I'll stop buying it because of it, even though I still adore it. Anyway, it smells divine and it's such a pleasant oil to use. I use it when my skin is visibly dry and it always helps.

L'Occitane, full size 18.80 €

LIP SMACKER Frozen Ice Cube Lip Balm

Olaf (Peach Flavour)

It's very rare that I buy a lip balm, but this looked so cute in the shop and it said it smells like peach, so I couldn't resist. I like Lip Smacker lip balms, I think they are some of the best, especially for very dry lips because they are less waxy as well as greasier than most and actually now that I think about it, every one I have is Frozen. It's not even that good of a cartoon. The scent was a disappointment, it's the most artificial boring peach ever. However, I love the quality of it. It's nicely moisturising and it sticks on the lips for quite a long time. I also really love the shape of it, not only is it interesting and cute, but I also like how it applies. It looks so small that I sure you get a half of a normal lip balm, but it's actually about the same, 4,2 g.

E.Leclerc, 3.5 €

DOVE Purely Pampering Nourishing Shower gel

Coconut Milk

I adore this shower gel, it's probably my favourite ever but I completely forgot it existed until it magically materialised in the bathroom. It's probably from those gift sets everyone is giving and I forgot about it, since I've been buried in Yummy Shower gels for the past year, but up until now I never bought any of these myself, I've just been taking them for granted. So to make sure I have enough of these, I bought my first one, plus I found a hand soap to go with it. These pampering shower gels, which frankly should be called creams, are very thick and excellent for dry skin. The soap are in my opinion the only hard soaps worth buying because they don't leave that awful squeaky clean feeling. I can't properly describe the scent to you, but it's definitely not coconut at all. It's a warm creamy clean scent and I just love it.

E.Leclerc, 2 €

BALEA Regenbogen Dusche

I fell for it. I admit. But come on, how can I resist such an adorable packaging? It was all over social media, taunting me and even though I knew the scent will be boring (come on, it's Balea), I just wanted it. They describe the scent in the most fairytale like fashion - apparently it smells like stars and clouds. Well, I didn't know stars and clouds smell of boring vanilla. You know the one in car fresheners. Oh, so very heavenly. I'm not saying it's a bad scent, but it could be more exciting, not just recycling Balea old ones. It smells better straight from the bottle (kind of like marshmallows and vanilla) than in the shower. It terms of texture is just a classic Balea shower gel, again nothing exciting.

DM, 0.99 €

GARNIER Olia After Colour Care

Petra says this is the best conditioner ever and I think it's pretty good as well. Actually it's very nice for a drugstore product and comparable in terms of effect to some salon brands. It's a conditioner that you get in Olia hair colours, but they also sell these mini tubes for when you want to refresh your colour, which is brilliant. It nourished my currently very dry hair and that's quite an achievement. It doesn't feel very heavy, so it should be fine on less dry hair than mine.

Finally a new cleansing oil in the drugstores and so far, it's my favourite ever. It's not the cheapest, but almost half the price of L'Occitane and it find it better. This is another one of those oils that you apply on dry skin, massage it in, add water so it emulsifiers and remove it with a cloth. This emulsifies into such a gorgeous thick emulsion - if you ever used L'Occitane Almond Shower oil, it's the same thing. It removes makeup really well, there is a bit of mascara left mostly because I don't want to be too harsh with a flannel around the eyes, but the rest of the makeup is completely gone. I only had a sample, but it lasted me so long because you don't need to use much and it didn't cause me any additional spots, though my skin isn't completely clear, but usually with oils my skin goes haywire. I will get a full size for sure. It smells nicely floral. By the way, it claims it's suitable for sensitive skin.

Click2chic, full size 12.94 €

MOROCCANOIL Moisture Repair Shampoo

I expected this to be good and I wasn't disappointed. It's an excellent shampoo for very dry hair, it cleans well, but doesn't leave that dreadful squeaky clean feeling us with dry hair despise, but at the same time it's not heavy and the hair still feels light when washed. However, to me L'Oreal Extraordinaire shampoo does the same thing for a fraction of the price, but if you love Moroccanoil and have the budget, this is a great shampoo.

Full size 20 €

BOMB COSMETICS Night Out

I've tried many Bomb Cosmetics bath bombs and they are just as good as Lush, though they don't tend to have multicolour effects, but some do have great glitters. This one smells strongly of baby powder and I'm really enjoying the scent, so I kind of don't want to use it yet, but I think it should turn the water violet.

Click2chic, other bath bombs 2.99 €

LADY SPEED STICK invisible

My trusted ally for many years Rexona sticks stopped working on me. We had a good run, but I knew it was going to happen. So I started a search for a replacement, a proper anti-perspirant, none of that useless natural or whatever stuff is popular now, so at the bottom of the shelves in DM, I found my very first favourite deodorant that I wore in primary school. It's a gel, so it's truly invisible, but you have to wait for it to dry. So far it's working, but we'll see how long it lasts. It smells like a man's cologne though, but one of those clean skin ones, so it's not so bad, but I swear I had something floral smelling all those years ago.

NIVEA Deodorant Protect & Care

I actually deliberately tracked this down after seeing it on social media. I've always loved the "boring" classic Nivea scent, so I'm glad they are expanding their collection of products. However, I was so sure this was an anti-perspirant and only at home discovered it's just a deodorant (I had like 5 minutes in the shop and a long list), which I've never been a fan of because they do nothing. This one again doesn't manage to keep me fresh long and yes, of course I know it won't stop sweating, but I mean in a sense than it doesn't keep me smelling fresh long. The scent is nothing special, just clean and not as nice as the lotion. How ironic that the last thing I bought in 2016 was another disappointment too.

Müller, 2.89 €

NIVEA Anti-Perspirant Pearl & Beauty

Holy cow did I have a hard time finding this! I've been faithful to it for many year and now I had to go to several shops to find them. Please don't tell me they are being discontinued, I don't want to start experimenting with deodorants again. 90% of them suck. I love the smell of this one, it's so feminine, but my favourite bit is that is actually works the way it should. I combine it with a stick deodorant for best effect.

DM, 2.99€

AVEO Nail Polish Removers Professional

With a sponge and with a pump

I just got these because they were cheapest and I was in Müller. I know I should explore removers more since most dry my nails, so if you have any suggestions for something good and cheap, go ahead. I have the pump version from Ebeline and these pumps, though they are still somewhat clumsy (accidental spritzing and stuff) have a plus in the fact you use a lot less product. This one is effective enough, it doesn't need a ton of rubbing, but it's not the strongest. Actually it's exactly the same as Ebelins, it just smells better, like a floral fragrance.

I used a lot of versions with a sponge and I still find the original Bourjois' the best ever, but unreasonably pricey, so I buy the cheap ones. The sponge of this one is one of the softest and the remover is the same as in the other packaging, so it's again the same as Ebelines.

Müller, 1.99-2.99 €

EBELIN Polishing FilePolierfeile

I've bought a few of these polishing files so far. They're cheap and do their job. I use them for both polishing the nail enamel and for finishing the tips. It has three types of surfaces, none are rough and you can get quite a nice glossy polish with it.

DM, 2 €

EBELIN GlassfileGlasfeile

I've never had a glass file before so I got one of the cheap ones. This one works just fine. It's neither super rough and neither too gentle. It doesn't leave strange, rough edges so I quite like it.

EBELIN Microfibre Glove

Mikrofaser Reinigungs Handschuh
This is one of those cloths that promises to remove the makeup with no additional use of any remover or water. I've had one of these before many years ago and it's the same material than in Emma Hardie cloths, so super soft and comfy, plus they last much better though washing than regular towels. In terms of the original claim of removing makeup I find it's not the most effective thing. It won't do much about mascara and there's still foundation left, plus I get flakes if I use it dry. But anyway I didn't buy it for that reason, I got it because it feels like Emma Hardie's one and I use it the same way, I wet it with warm water and remove balm/oil with it. I like that it's shaped as a glove, though it's small.

DM, 2.99 €

AVON Mesmerize and Mesmerize Black

I only have samples that Petra kindly sent me, but the bottles for both of these are beautiful. Mesmerize Black is more to my taste and it's basically almost pure sandalwood, so warm and woody with no cheap vanilla, which I'm so fed up with. There's a little bit of jasmine, but barely noticeable. I actually love it so much that I'm really lemming a bottle.

I actually had high hopes for Mesmerize because of the peach note. While it is the most obvious note, it's not the juicy version we get in TBS Vineyard Peach or even Hugo Boss the Scent. Instead it's artificial, very sweet peach and to me very reminiscent to the smell of S Budget peach yogurt, which I suggest you don't buy because it tastes like a perfumed yogurt believe it or not (terrible, terrible thing). Mesmerize is basically artificial peach and aldehydes.

I completely forgot this existed, but it's exactly what I need and I actually think there's no such products in drugstores. I have quite thick skin on my soles, so I need to have frequent at home pedicures, which are just such a chore. AHA's should help with some exfoliation (I noticed some minor peeling so far), plus this cream is actually quite greasy, so good for my dryness, but by the morning it's completely gone. It smells strongly of peppermint.

I read one the back of the bottle that this promises a lightweight, poreless effect and I'm just laughing my face off because this foundation showed me pores I didn't know I have. Horrible, useless foundation that makes my skin look almost worse than it is, well at least it gives about a medium coverage, but it emphasises every pore, every line and even looks patchy on my nose. The only way I could make this work was by mixing it with a far superior Bourjois CC cream (which is too dark for me) and using a very dense, oval brush. Still, this is a foundation that is a backstabber, meaning even though it looks decent when applied, in 15 minutes you deeply regret choosing this foundation. But it does have a plus side believe it or not, and that is the shade. 010 Light Porcelain is a rare gem in drugstore foundations that fits even the palest, cool skin tones (also the reason I used up the whole bottle), though when the foundation is old, I noticed it starts to oxidise. I just don't like Rimmel foundations on my skin.

When I got this, I absolutely loved it. It has a similar look on the skin than my all-time favourite Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, so it's invisible on the face, but gives about a light-medium coverage. The main difference between the two is that Dior's has a satin finish and that the lightest shade is pink toned. I loved the shade from the start, it's one of the rare pale ones even in high-end foundation that we can get here, however, by the time I used up the last drop, I think because I had it for too long, it was oxidising so badly, my face was orange in about 10 minutes after application. If you get it, use it up within a year.

After six years this remains my firm favourite, a skin care item I can rely on and my constant in my routine. I use it on my face, though it's one of those oils that is good for everything and compared to most, it sinks in much faster. It just keeps my skin in check, so it doesn't have too many extra weird moods. I use two pumps a day, so one bottle lasts me over a year. I always have a bottle spare, so I'm not without it when I use one up.

Repurchase: Yes.

SECHE VITE Dry Fast Top Coat

Oh man, being without a useful bottle of this was absolute torture. I kept putting off repurchasing it because it's not cheap and difficult to get since the air-mail shipping ban, but I should really start doing the same as with Nuxe oil and have one spare. It dries the nail polish in under a minute (my favourite thing, since I have zero patience), it makes the manicure super glossy and really helps with staying power too. The only crappy thing about it is that it thickens, so you can't use it up all, even though I have a thinner, but even that one has its limits and the brush doesn't reach the bottom of the bottle.

Repurchase: Already done.

BALEA Dusche& Creme

Mango

This has the same scent as Balea's mango summer LEs, so it's a candy like scent that's very sweet. The gel is tinted orange and when you wash it off, even if you manage to get it to foam, the water will be coloured.

This was by far the best of Balea's body butters. Usually they are too thick and just feel a bit less nice to use than the more expensive stuff, but this one can already be compared to The Body Shops' though it's still not quite as lovely too apply. It's properly moisturising and the scent was exceptional, since it smelled so good like Monte, of chocolate and hazelnuts. Too bad they decided to only keep it as limited edition.

This is a bit light for my taste, I usually like very thick and greasy body butters because I always apply them before going to bed, but this is still a thicker body cream that is nicely nourishing. I absolutely adore the scent of this, it's basically the same as The Body Shop's Shea Butter, meaning it's a creamy nutty scent, which is nothing special, but I just love it. Mine was merely a travel size, while a bigger 200 ml exists

Repurchase: Yes.

REXONA Invisible Anti-Perspirant Stick

I have no idea how many in a row I bought, but I've been using these for a few years, since they are the only ones that didn't stop working on me before using one up, but very sadly I think I reached a point when these started deserting me as well. I still bought an new one, but I stopped using it and got Lady Speed Stick instead.

Repurchase: already done, but then we'll see about future repurchases.

I have a persisting problem with dandruff for well over a decade, nearing two actually and nothing ever helps, not even in merely removing all the dandruff from my scalp and this finally did something, so it's by far the most effective shampoo I ever found. It removes all of my dandruff and keeps my scalp clean at least for a few days before the whole cycle starts again (as I person with very dry hair, I avoid washing it too often and therefore making it drier and more damaged). It smells like your car mechanic boyfriend, but you get used to the strong chemical car garage scent and it's not the most nourishing shampoo, still it doesn't strip the hair of everything, however, long term use does make the hair drier. If you need an anti-dandruff shampoo, I'd start here, most of the other things are rubbish, especially the natural stuff with exception of Phyto.

I like L'Oreal shampoos, they are definitely some of the best in the drugstore and though I didn't expect much from this one because it's marketed for oily hair and I was almost sure it's going to be very drying, it's actually really nice. Based on my extensive experience with drugstore anti-dandruff shampoos, I knew this one almost certainly won't work and I was right, but if I overlook that, I still liked this shampoo a lot. It wasn't drying, my hair wasn't a tangly mess like at a majority of anti-dandruff shampoos, it wasn't even drying long-term, it just cleaned the hair well and worked well even on my very dry hair. I love the mint green packaging (obviously) and it smells like fruity-clean, a bit like Fructis. I'm not sure if it's really good for oily hair like it says, but for normal-dry it's nice.

Repurchase: I still love the Extraordinary version more, but I might buy this one again too.

This is one of the best hair masks I've ever tried and I'm a major hair junkie. I'm so angry at myself for not picking L'Oreal Professionnel hair products before, but I just assumed they aren't as good as Kérastase or Joico - man was I wrong. And they are actually still reasonably priced for a salon brand. The effect of this on my hair is just fantastic and it does all that I expect - really nourish my hair, make it more manageable, smoother and easier to style. Their Série Expert Absolut Repair Lipidium is also amazing, but I think it might have been discontinued, so I'll just buy a jumbo size of this one and I don't have to worry about buying a new conditioner/mask for a long time.

Repurchase: absolutely.

BATISTE Dry Shampoo

Wild

I don't really care how well dry shampoos actually work since my hair is so dry, I only care about the fragrance and volume, and this was fine in both of the categories. It's a heavier scent, I could not use this is warm weather, I just couldn't stand it, but in winter months, it was a lovely chocolate-vanilla-sandalwood scent. It smells similar to Avril Lavigne Black Star fragrance and Axe/Lynx Dark Temptation.

Hands down one of the best leave-in products I used. It's described as sort of a styling product with hold, but I completely disagree and what is actually is is a leave-in conditioner that completely tames the hair. It one of the best frizz fighters I've tried, I don't even need to use a round brush when drying my hair, it just dries straight and with a brush, it's also very silky feeling. I found a good cheaper alternative in Dove Style + Care, but that one is more suited for hair that isn't easily weighted down, while this is a medium gel consistency and might work for others as well. If you have hair that refuses to be tamed, I highly recommend this.

From cheaper oils, I like this one most. It's the thickest, so it works for my dry hair, but it's not quite as good as some of the more expensive ones. Though technically this one isn't that cheap either, since you only get 30 ml in the bottle. It's got a lovely oriental scent over a classic salon scent base.

Repurchase: Yes.

SAMPLES

TONYMOLY Brightening Peeling Gel

This is one of the weirdest product I ever tried. It looks like the most regular gel cleanser with a nice, but strong floral scent, but after some seconds after you start massaging it on the skin, it sort of rolls/balls up, like when you use a rough towel after a bath. Super strange, but intriguing.

Purchase: It's interesting, but I don't know.

SKINFOOD Royal Honey Nutrition Cream

I so wanted this to smell this like honey, but it's smells much like a regular cream that claims to smell like honey. It's thick, almost slightly gel like and takes time to sink in. Despite that it didn't manage to fix my very dry cheeks, though my skin did look a bit better.

Purchase: No.

SKINFOOD Watery Berry Serum

I was a bit put off the moment I smelled it because I thought it has a ton of alcohol, but then I wasn't so sure if all I smelled was a strange berry scent. It's a light serum and it felt moisturising enough for normal/oily skin, but for as with most serums moisturiser is needed. I only had a couple of samples so I didn't see any significant results, but it didn't fix my intense dryness I was experiencing at the time.

Purchase: No.

LUKE Charcoal Nose Cleansing Strips

These are black pore strips, so maybe those who find the result on the strip strangely satisfying might find these intriguing. I used one and it didn't pull much from my pores. There were one or two blackheads, but that was it. Most don't work on me anyway.

Purchase: No.

LIVING PROOF Prime Style Extendender

I only had a sample of this, but based on one use, I don't find this impressive. It's a gel cream, easy to apply and it smells salon like, sort of fresh citrusy floral, however, compared to my beloved Dove, this just doesn't do enough. My hair dried frizzy, it wasn't manageable and it was a bit heavy, like too much product was on my hair. Normally I don't mind because I thought it's a typical product with some hold, but it didn't hold my curls any longer.

Purchase: No.

S.OLIVER For Her

The moment I poured this sample on myself I thought - rose. It's a poor man's Chloe, a powdery rose scent, but this one isn't peppery and is less headachy (Chloe gives me the worst headaches sometimes, also Christina Aguilera's first fragrance and I'm not at all sensitive to fragrance). People love this scent because it's high quality for a low price, so if you need a cheaper kind-of Chloe, track this one down.

Healthy Mix has been revamped again and though that normally wouldn't really interest me, since I much prefer the Serum version, this time by some miracle they actually added a lighter shade 50 and if it's indeed lighter than 51 (I have yet to see swatches), I need it.
They also repackaged the concealer, which I like, but disliked the original tube packaging. However, I actually like Radiance Reveal so much, I'll probably skip this one, unless it's now full coverage.

My full coverage concealers are on their last legs and it's just such a "joy" to use them both with broken wands (stupid packaging) scrapping the last bits out, so I really need a new one. These three intrigue me the most, though I like what I currently have (Nars and Collection), but I'd like something less matte for now because I realised I use them mostly in the inner corner of the eyes. It's probably going to be Catrice's when I finally find it in stock somewhere because it's easiest to get.

UD, €22.40; Catrice 3.79€ , Tarte 24$

3. TONYMOLY Pikachu Mini Cover Cushion Pokemon Edition

01

I actually already ordered this, but it's being held up because of shipping problems due to weather, so I really wish this arrives safely (I'm scared it'll be out of stock because no one set it aside or something). I did get it because it's Pokemon (I don't care if you judge me), but also because I'm hoping shade 01 is very pale, which I desperately need. I've never tried a cushion foundation before, so that will be new to me.

$9.95

4. CATRICE Prime & Fine Makeup Transforming Drops

Lightening

Most of my foundation are rubbish and those that are actually good (Milani Conceal + Perfect) are too dark, so I really need some sort of a lightening product and this will be the easiest to get (I'd love TBS's drops, but I can't get them). I hope the texture isn't too odd, so it doesn't mess up my foundations. Based on swatches I've seen it's tinted yellow and I'm not sure I like that. I need to see it in person.

3.49 €

5. ESSENCE Out of Space Stories Nail Polish

05

I have a thing for anything with a galaxy/space effect, so naturally this shade caught my eye. I haven't seen any swatches yet, but Essence promises this line contains holographic, changing and metallic finishes. I have to see it first and then decide if I want it.

1.99 €

6. PRETTY SERIOUS Naileontology Collection

Eye of Copernicus

I blame my lemming for this solely on Metka's gorgeous swatches. I've wanted Essie Starry, Starry Night, but missed it since it wasn't sold here and I didn't want to pay for shipping on Boots, but Metka say this one is even prettier so I need it. The only thing is that it's expensive with shipping, so again I'm reluctant to pay so much for a nail polish.

10.36 €

7. THE FACE SHOP Disney

Snow White

Yeah, I have a thing for Snow White too (I hope for obvious reasons), so this collection, which actually includes other princesses, caught my eye, but I haven't taken the plunge yet, apart from a sheet mask (bellow). The cushion is a peach colour corrector and it supposedly brightens the skin tone (I'm scared it's too peachy for me), but I love the packaging, while the lipstick is a classic red and the nail polish has flakes. I have a feeling I'll miss it, but it's not at the top of the wishlist.

8. AVON Mesmerize Black

This I blame on Petra who gave me samples of it. It's such a wonderful scent and I just fell in love with it. It's basically pure sandalwood, so a warm and cosy fragrance, but without the overused vanilla or amber. It's really affordable on Salma, which makes me even happier.

8.90 €

9. AVON Luck for Her

I love the bottle of this one, it's so classy. I had a sample of this and it's a scent most will find boring, but I like these type of fruity florals. I smell sweet pineapple (notes mention berries and citrus) and a gentle white flower scent, so it's basically a Fructis shampoo type of scent. Notes.

13.90 €

10. KATY PERRY Mad Love

I spray this one every time I'm in DM. It smells so good, but it's a very teenage fruity sweet scent, yet it has no vanilla. I swear I smell pineapples from the start, though notes mention strawberry and coconut. I currently have no happy, cocktail like fragrances for summer, so either a Victoria's Secret spray or this are on the list. Notes.

23.80 €

11. BIOBAZA Exclusive Micellar Oil

I have a sample of this that I've been using every day for three or so weeks and it's by far the best oil cleanser I've tried. It's very liquid, but with water it creates such a luxurious, thick emulsion, exactly like L'Occitane's Almond Shower Oil. It isn't causing me any problems and it removes makeup well (ok, only a bit of mascara is left because I can't reach it). I really like this.

12.94 €

12. COSRX BHA Blackhead Power Liquid

I've been unhappy with the uneven skin texture around my nose and on my chin for a really long time, but that 5% glycolic cream I got, just isn't working like I hoped, so maybe BHAs will be better. I hear this is great for blackheads and nothing works on mine, so I hope this is good.

16.80$

13. ELIZAVECCA Milky Piggy Hell Pore Clean Up Mask

Another blackhead treatment, well pore clearing treatment. It dries solid into a sort of a peel off mask which I hope works better than strips that usually fail on me, also because I can never fit them properly and I end up with air pockets on the sides.

$13.79

14. ELIZAVECCA Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask

I read so many positive reviews about this that it's hard to ignore. It's a mask that bubbles after application (I once had cleanser from Skin 79 that bubbled) and it apparently clears out the pores.

$7.99

15. TONY MOLY Panda's Dream White Sleeping Pack

I ordered this as well already and it's also being held up, just like the Pokemon Cushion, so I hope it arrives safely. I spotted this on Makeup & More Blog where Zlatana praised it and I've read further positive reviews. It's a moisturising treatment that you leave on overnight, so it's something like Balea's Power Maske. Plus the packaging is adorable.

US $8.96

16. COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch

I read this is the best spot treatment and I just wish I knew this before because I was searching for something last year and ended up buying Afrodita's version, which does very little. I had patches before from Balea and they were also some of the most effective ones, but I have even more faith in Korean skin care.

$4.25

17. MISSHA Time Revolution The First Treatment Essence

Another product I've heard a ton of praises about. Essence's are to me a strange step in the skin care routine, but I hear this is somewhat like the popular SKII Essence (plus the Time Revolution serum from Missha is supposedly a dupe Estee Lauder's ANR), but it's again not the most affordable product, so it's going to be on hold for a while, though I really should start investing more in my skin.

I kind of want to force myself to use more masks because this winter it was just crazy how much my skin dried up (I was sick with a fever for the first time in years, if not decades and it wreaked havoc) and almost nothing helped, so I need to start injecting more moisture into my skin and sheet masks are a really good boost. I know Innisfree's and Etude House's are very popular, but I really like the idea of the peach one from A'Pieu and the Pokemon ones are so cute, while I already ordered the Snow White one. Any recommendations?

I won't go into details here, don't worry. It's just a wishlist I made in December, but never posted it and it was more meant for me because I like making these. I actually already got that Balea Unicorn shower gel and I can tell you it smells of the most boring car freshener vanilla. I also got L'Occitane Néroli & Orchidée hand cream as a gift and I just love it, it smells amazing and the texture is great because it sinks in under a minute. I ordered the Etude House Panda Peach hand cream, but I'm still waiting for it to arrive. I'm debating whether to get the 45 mm lens for Olympus, but it's just so expensive, even the used ones.

If you noticed an increase of Colourpop products on blogs and social accounts and you have no idea what's going on, well you missed quite an opportunity because they finally offered both more affordable worldwide shipping and occasionally free of costs for a limited time. I was also one of those non-US residents who jumped the wagon and snatched myself a "few" colours (hey, they're actually reasonably priced), though I have to say finding decent swatches on pale skin proved incredibly challenging. I got three types of lip products - the Ultra Matte, Ultra Satin and one Lippie Stix in Matte formula. Swatches are at the end if you want to skip the review part.

Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick

Texture: These have a similar creamy formula as Milani's Amore, so they are easy to apply, although Bianca is surprisingly a bit different because it's thicker. I was told the formula is very drying and I need to say again that my lips are almost never dry, so it's more difficult for me to assess whether something will feel drying, however, at this product I'm almost confident it will feel drying to a lot of people. It sets completely perfectly matte and in a short time, it's also that type of matte liquid lipstick that dries to a layer that you can feel on the lips. This is really a formula only for hard-core matte lovers, as far as the rest go don't say I did not warn you, but at the same time I'm not trying to scare you.

Pigmentation is great, you get an opaque layer with one coat and that includes the dark More Better, which applies completely evenly. Another thing I need to mention is that they look very different in the tubes than on the lips, so don't make your choices based on what you see. Some shades look almost identical in the tubes as I'm sure you've noticed on my pictures, but on the lips most look darker and individual undertones are a lot more expressed, especially with time as they oxidise.

Staying power: These are some of the most long-lasting lip products I've tried. Not that they'll last perfectly on the lips, mostly those who experience dry lips will notice flakes, but in the first half a day, only a very greasy, bacon-filled meal destroys them (I've done many tests with these and McDonald's Bacon Rosti). Once they set, it requires a makeup remover, preferably an oily one to remove it, but with tissues it's almost impossible. I have a complaint about More Better and that is that is transfers, even though it feels dry to the touch on the lips. I have an annoying habit of keeping my hand over my mouth when I'm behind the computer and I end up with my face in a gentle magenta hue. So attractive.

Shades: I have four: Bianca, Sollow, Clueless and More Better, all are swatched and described bellow.

Scent: They don't have a very strong scent, it's somewhat chemical, indescribable, only More Better smells of chlorine.

Same goes for Satins.

Packaging: the tubes actually feel quite fancy for 6$ and much better than for example Sephora's. Only the silver writing starts to rub off fast. The applicators are standard.

Satins have the same packaging.

These are 6 $ on Colourpop website.

Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick

Texture: Ultra Satins are supposed to be the more comfortable version of the liquid lipstick formula. The texture is more like a mousse and it applies more comfortably on the lips because it doesn't start to set immediately. The finish looks creamy from the start, then it sets to this slightly sticky-to-the-touch feeling, but you don't get a ton of transfer like at for example Revlon's Ultra HD. In time they actually end up looking matte, so you still get a similar finish to the Ultra Matte, but with less of a uniform layer felling. If you're picking between Satin or Matte, Satins are more comfortable from the start, but still don't expect any care from them, though they won't feel as drying.

Staying power: Again these last very well on the lips after they set, but they are much easier to remove than mattes and won't last through meals as well.

These are also 6$

Lippie Stix

Texture: The moment I tried this I knew it's my new all-time favourite formula. The finish of it is unreal and so close to a matte liquid lipstick and I feel it's going to be more people's cup of tea because it doesn't go from liquid to matte, so it should be more comfortable. Still if you have frequently dry lips, you're going to need a lip balm under it. Pigmentation is great, you would theoretically need only one swipe, but since this is a thin stick, you need a couple swipes, except those with thin lips of course. It's incredibly lightweight on the lips and there's very little of that sort of greasy lipstick feeling, in fact it's closer to a matte liquid lipstick feeling.

Colour: I have the shade Cami, a rosy brown shade, swatched below. I just adore it.

Scent: Again, it has no particular scent, these really aren't heavily fragranced.

Staying power: You don't get the same long-lasting lip colour as at Ultra Mattes, but it is matte, so it lasts quite a while. It can survive some drinking, while eating can already be a problem.

Packaging: the tube is very slim and is the lipstick itself, I need a bit more time applying it and I think I need a lipliner because it's not the most precise lipstick (I think it's due to the formula, not the shape). It's also not that much in it and I've already used up a centimetre, so these don't last that long, but at least they aren't that expensive

Price and availability: These cost 5 $ on Colourpop and come in different type of formula from creamy to Matte X.

SHADES

I had a hard time swatching these, not because of the colours themselves or the formula, but because these change so much as they wear. All start much lighter and then oxidise darker shades, but I think I got how they look on average. My skin tone is about NC/W10, currently my best match is Maybelline Fit Me foundation in 110 Porcelain. Most of these shades can look very different on darker skin tones, mostly the violet tones aren't as pronounced like on me, so think of that when you're looking at swatches. I also included some comparisons with other matte lip creams, even if the two shades are very different because I wanted to show you how they differ.

Littlestitious (satin)

is a muted, greyish mauve-pink-lavender. I imagined it a lot warmer based on swatches I found. It applies almost too pale for me, but oxidises to a shade that's about two tones darker. Compared to Alyssa it's much cooler and greyer. I don't think it's my colour, but it is the type of modern, greyish shade some like to wear. It's a satin, so it's a creamy looking on my lips here because I took pictures straight away, but it sets into more satin matte after time.

Alyssa (Satin)
is a muted warm pinky mauve shade and it's the best out of the three that are usually described as similar, so Littlestitious and Bianca.

Bianca

is a medium beige brown shade. It's completely different than I imagined and I think it's too brown for me, though wearable. This is a shade that is such a chameleon - it starts light beige, almost the tone of my skin and immediately starts oxidising as it dries. Then it's medium cool brown and as more hours pass it becomes an even darker rosy brown. An interesting shade.

Sollow

is a light muted peachy pink shade, but in the tube it looks completely different, a true peach. It again applies much lighter, but starts to oxidise to a darker, more peachy pink shade. It's my favourite light one that I got.

Clueless

is a pink mauve. It's a shade I again had a hard time capturing because sometimes it looks more pink, sometimes more mauve-violet and sometimes even more brown. Out of my shades its closest to Marvellous Mauve by Sephora, but it's a lot more pink especially with time on the lips because it oxidises to quite a dark shade on me.

Dopey

is a grey mauve brown shade. Like Bianca it's again completely different than in the tube or swatches I've seen after it oxidises on me. Clueless looks almost the same in the tube, but they are a lot different on the lips. If you're looking for a typical mauve shade, this is a good choice, but bear in mind that on warmer skin tones, it'll look more rosy, while on cooler more violet. I don't think this is a shade for me.

More Better

is a gorgeous, rich deep berry/ deep purple-red, basically my dream shade. Application is completely even, but it's a shade that can still transfer even after it sets.

Cami

Is a stunning muted rosy brownish shade and completely unexpectedly my favourite in the bunch. I love the formula, how it wears and the colour on me, so this was a complete win.

Comparisons

I made a few comparisons, even though some of the shades are completely different, but I did that because they have a similar descriptions.

SLEEK Matte Me Birthday Suit vs. Bianca - I thought these will be similar, but I was wrong. Sleek's version is much peachier, warmer and not grey.

THEBALM Meet Matte Hughes Committed vs. Sollow - Pointless comparison because they are so different, but Committed is described as a nude peachy pink, while Sollow is the actual perfect peachy pink.

THEBALM Meet Matte Hughes Charming vs. Cami - Charming is darker, slightly rosier and warmer than Cami. It think the supposed dupe for Charming is Colourpop's Bumble. I find Cami much easier to wear, since Charming ends up quite dark on me.

One strange things about these - they stain. And I don't mean just the dark shades, that would actually be normal, but I mean the lightest shades as well. Here I had the swatches on for an hour and when I removed them, there was a strong magenta stain. Surprisingly, that shade in the top left that left the strongest stain is Littlestitious - the lightest in my collection. Also strongest staining are Clueless and More Better. This tints the dry bits on your lips which remains for a day or two. So yeah, very difficult to remove completely.

My first recommendation is the Lippie Stix. I know I only have one and it's a matte one, but the formula is just so amazing. Ultra Satins are a safer bet when it comes to liquid lipstick version, still don't expect it's a comfortable as Revlon's Ultra HD. Ultra Matte are for serious matte finish enthusiasts. They aren't comfortable, but the staying power and finish win. Affordable prices and tons of colours - I'm starting to like this Colourpop brand, however, they need separate websites for other continents because custom charges suck.